New allotment! YES!!

[Likac66]

I had THE phone call this afternoon - I have an allotment! I am so excited for a number of reasons:

I wanted a half plot but was told I would have to have a mini plot first (50 sq yds) but I have been offered a choice of two half plots after all.

The smaller plot on offer has a mature apple tree already on it.

I thought it would be a 12 month wait so wasn't expecting anything until the summer but instead it has only been 6 months.

Now is a GREAT time to get an allotment as it is almost sowing time so I can start planning and sowing at home ready to plant out on the allotment in the spring.

I am so excited! I have arranged to go on Sunday to look at the two plots but I am pretty sure I will be having the one with the tree on. 180 sq yds so plenty big enough for me.

[Peppermint]

Congratulations! What wonderful news. You have lots of time to go through your seeds, plan and start little seedlings off.

Last year all our window sills were full of pots and trays ready for moving outside (I have a potting shed but no greenhouse or polytunnel (yet ... it's still sat in the garage ))

Good luck and enjoy!

[veg man]

Congratulations Well done, can hear the sound of seed packets dropping through the letter box

[Likac66]

Well I went to look at it this morning. The size is fine - definitely not too big. But the apple tree is a bit of a mess. I guess it has been grown on dwarf stock and all the branches hang down reall low and it has spread right across the whole width of the plot. My dad is going to come up in two weeks and prune it heavily for me. Behind the tree is a mess, with brambles and 6ft high weeds and a fence collapsing.

The good news is that in front of the tree is a large area ready for cultivation. It has been used this year for mostly potatoes and root veg. There are two water containers but the plot is near a tap, the shop and the toilet. It is also near the pond and communal area so the kids can play there and run around but still be in my sight.

I'm so glad my mum and dad are going to come up and help get me started though. They have started from scratch on 3 allotments previously so know what they are doing. I was feeling a bit worried but I've just had a look through the before and after thread which has made me feel better.